Drafted in the 7th round (222nd overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2015 (signed for $147,500).
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Sopko took a year to adjust to college ball after arriving from a Montana high school, but once he caught up he developed into one of the West Coast Conference's more consistent starting pitchers. He's similar in some ways to former Gonzaga star Cody Martin, who reached the major leagues with the Braves in 2015. Sopko has reached 94 mph in the past and, at times, sports an above-average slider as well out of a three-quarters arm slot. Most of the time, though, the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder pitches with a fringe-average heater from 88-92 mph with just so-so life and has to be fine with it. His slider and changeup most frequently are average pitches at best, so he'll have to locate with precision to get outs regularly with three average pitches.
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Organization Prospect Rankings
Sopko arrived at Gonzaga from a Montana high school and eventually developed into one of the better starters in the West Coast Conference. He signed with the Dodgers for $147,500 as a seventh-round pick in 2015, then caught the attention of scouts with his feel for pitching in his first full season of pro ball. Like fellow Dodgers righthander Chase De Jong, Sopko stands out more for his pitchability than his pure stuff. Sopko lacks a plus pitch, but he's able to command his arsenal, hit his spots, moves the ball around the zone and change speeds. He works off a fastball that sits at 89-92 mph and can hit 94. It's not overpowering, but he pounds the zone and attacks hitters on the inner third. Sopko is able to land his curveball, slider and changeup for strikes, though without a true out pitch, Double-A hitters made him pay for mistakes he was able to get away with at high Class A Rancho Cucamonga. They're all fringe-average pitches, with his slider his best weapon against righties, while he uses the changeup and curveball more to attack lefties. Sopko, who likely returns to Double-A Tulsa in 2017, has the upside of a back-end starter.
Draft Prospects
Sopko took a year to adjust to college ball after arriving from a Montana high school, but once he caught up he developed into one of the West Coast Conference's more consistent starting pitchers. He's similar in some ways to former Gonzaga star Cody Martin, who reached the major leagues with the Braves in 2015. Sopko has reached 94 mph in the past and, at times, sports an above-average slider as well out of a three-quarters arm slot. Most of the time, though, the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder pitches with a fringe-average heater from 88-92 mph with just so-so life and has to be fine with it. His slider and changeup most frequently are average pitches at best, so he'll have to locate with precision to get outs regularly with three average pitches.
Career Transactions
Buffalo Bisons released RHP Andrew Sopko.
RHP Andrew Sopko assigned to Toronto Blue Jays.
Buffalo Bisons activated RHP Andrew Sopko from the 7-day injured list.
Buffalo Bisons placed RHP Andrew Sopko on the 7-day injured list retroactive to August 17, 2019.
Buffalo Bisons activated RHP Andrew Sopko from the 7-day injured list.
Buffalo Bisons sent RHP Andrew Sopko on a rehab assignment to GCL Blue Jays.
Buffalo Bisons placed RHP Andrew Sopko on the 7-day injured list.
RHP Andrew Sopko assigned to Buffalo Bisons from New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
RHP Andrew Sopko assigned to New Hampshire Fisher Cats from Buffalo Bisons.
RHP Andrew Sopko assigned to Toronto Blue Jays.
RHP Andrew Sopko assigned to Buffalo Bisons.
Los Angeles Dodgers traded RHP Andrew Sopko and SS Ronny Brito to Toronto Blue Jays for cash and C Russell Martin.
Tulsa Drillers activated RHP Andrew Sopko from the 7-day disabled list.
Tulsa Drillers placed RHP Andrew Sopko on the 7-day disabled list.
RHP Andrew Sopko assigned to Tulsa Drillers from Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
RHP Andrew Sopko assigned to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes from Tulsa Drillers.
Tulsa Drillers activated RHP Andrew Sopko from the 7-day disabled list.
Tulsa Drillers placed RHP Andrew Sopko on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to August 2, 2017.
Tulsa Drillers activated RHP Andrew Sopko from the 7-day disabled list.
Tulsa Drillers placed RHP Andrew Sopko on the 7-day disabled list.
RHP Andrew Sopko assigned to Tulsa Drillers.
RHP Andrew Sopko assigned to Tulsa Drillers from Oklahoma City Dodgers.
RHP Andrew Sopko assigned to Oklahoma City Dodgers from Tulsa Drillers.
RHP Andrew Sopko assigned to Tulsa Drillers from Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.
RHP Andrew Sopko assigned to California League All-Stars.
RHP Andrew Sopko assigned to Rancho Cucamonga Quakes from Great Lakes Loons.
RHP Andrew Sopko assigned to Great Lakes Loons from Ogden Raptors.
RHP Andrew Sopko assigned to Ogden Raptors from AZL Dodgers.
RHP Andrew Sopko assigned to AZL Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers signed RHP Andrew Sopko.
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